Cap for beverage can

ABSTRACT

A cap is provided for covering an opening in a soda can. The cap may include a depression and a peripheral flange connected to the depression. The peripheral flange may at least partially surround the depression. The depression may be adapted to fit into an opening of a soda can created by a pull tab. There may be a gap in the peripheral flange which allows a pull tab to fit over the depression. The cap may include an inner wall which connects the depression to the peripheral flange. A method is provided of pulling a pull tab on a soda can to create an opening in the soda can, and covering the opening with a cap.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus concerning beverage containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Typically in the prior art a pull tab aluminum beverage can, such as for soda or beer, cannot be closed after being opened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention, in one or more embodiments, provides an apparatus and a method for closing a soda can, after it has been opened. In one embodiment a cap is provided for covering an opening in a soda can. The cap may include a depression and a peripheral flange connected to the depression. The peripheral flange may at least partially surround the depression. The depression may be adapted to fit into an opening of a soda can created by a pull tab. There may be a gap in the peripheral flange which allows a pull tab to fit over the depression. The cap may include an inner wall which connects the depression to the peripheral flange.

[0004] The present invention, in one or more embodiments, may also include a method of pulling a pull tab on a soda can to create an opening in the soda can, and covering the opening with a cap. The cap may be comprised of a depression and a peripheral flange, wherein the depression is connected to the peripheral flange, and the peripheral flange at least partially surrounds the depression.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a prior art soda can;

[0006]FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the can of FIG. 1 along with a cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0007]FIG. 3A shows a top view of the cap shown in FIG. 2;

[0008]FIG. 3B shows a front perspective view of the cap shown in FIG. 2;

[0009]FIG. 3C shows a front view of the cap shown in FIG. 2;

[0010]FIG. 3D shows a side view of the cap shown in FIG. 2;

[0011]FIG. 3E shows a rear view of the cap shown in FIG. 2;

[0012]FIG. 3F shows a bottom view of the cap shown in FIG. 2;

[0013]FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of a can along with a cap in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 5A shows a top view of the cap shown in FIG. 2;

[0015]FIG. 5B shows a front perspective view of the cap shown in FIG. 2;

[0016]FIG. 5C shows a front view of the cap shown in FIG. 2;

[0017]FIG. 5D shows a side view of the cap shown in FIG. 2;

[0018]FIG. 5E shows a rear view of the cap shown in FIG. 2; and

[0019]FIG. 5F shows a bottom view of the cap shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a prior art soda can 10. The can 10 includes top portion 12, body portion 14, and bottom portion 16. The top portion 12 includes sections 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c. A tab or pull tab 18 is shown attached to the top portion 12. The tab has been used to open the can 10 so that there is an opening 20 in the can 10.

[0021]FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the can 10 of FIG. 1 along with a cap 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The cap 100 is shown in dashed lines. The cap 100 includes a flange or outer rim 102 and a central depression or portion 106. There is a gap 104 in the outer rim 102 so that a portion 18 a of the tab 18 can fit over the central depression portion 106. The central depression or portion 106 fits over and into the opening 20.

[0022]FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F show top, front perspective, front, side, rear, and bottom views, respectively of the cap 100. FIG. 3B shows an inner wall 105 having an inner surface 105 a and an outer surface 105 b. FIG. 3F shows the bottom surface 108 of the depression 106. The cap 100 may resemble a hat in shape with the exception of gap 104.

[0023] In operation the indented portion 106 of the cap 100 can be inserted into the opening 20 of the can 10. The outer flange 102 of the cap 100 covers at least a portion of the to portion 12 of the can 10. The cap 100 provides a seal to keep any contents of the can 10 fresh after the tab 18 has been pulled to form the opening 20 in the can 10.

[0024]FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of a can 200 along with a cap 300 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Cap 300 is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4. The can 200 may be the same as the can 10 with the exception that the can 200 may not have a tab, like tab 18. Can 200 includes top portion 212, body portion 214, and bottom 216. Can 200 may substantially be a hollow cylinder.

[0025]FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, and 5F show top, front perspective, front, side, rear, and bottom views, respectively of the cap 300. The cap 300 has a flange or outer portion 302 and a depression 304. The cap 300 includes an inner wall 305 having an inner surface 305 a and an outer surface 305 b. The cap 300 has a bottom surface 308, shown in FIG. 5F. The cap 300 does not have a gap, like gap 104, in the flange or outer portion 302.

[0026] In operation the indented portion 304 of the cap 300 can be inserted into an opening 220 of the can 200. The outer flange 302 of the cap 300 covers at least a portion of the portion 212 of the can 200. The cap 300 provides a seal to keep any contents of the can 200 fresh by sealing the opening 220 in the can 200.

[0027] Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art. 

I claim:
 1. A cap for covering an opening in a soda can comprising a depression; and a peripheral flange connected to the depression and at least partially surrounding the depression.
 2. The cap of claim 1 wherein the depression is adapted to fit into an opening of a soda can created by a pull tab.
 3. The cap of claim 1 wherein there is a gap in the peripheral flange which allows a pull tab to fit over the depression.
 4. The cap of claim 1 further comprising an inner wall which connects the depression to the peripheral flange.
 5. A method comprising pulling a pull tab on a soda can to create an opening in the soda can; covering the opening with a cap.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the cap is comprised of a depression and a peripheral flange, wherein the depression is connected to the peripheral flange, and the peripheral flange at least partially surrounds the depression; and wherein the step of covering the opening with the cap includes inserting the depression into the opening.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein there is a gap in the peripheral flange which allows a pull tab to fit over the depression.
 8. The method of claim 6 wherein the cap is comprised of an inner wall which connects the depression to the peripheral flange. 